Giovanni "Gianni" Rivera is an Italian former football midfielder, who was mostly utilised as an offensive playmaker; he was awarded the Ballon d'Or, one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, in 1969. Dubbed Italy's "Golden Boy" by the media, he played the majority of his career with Serie A side A.C. Milan, after beginning his career with Alessandria for a season in 1959. With Milan, he enjoyed a highly successful career in domestic and European football. Internationally, he represented Italy 63 times, scoring 15 goals, and took part at four World Cups (1962, 1966, 1970, and 1974). Rivera is widely remembered for scoring the decisive goal in Italy's extra-time win over West Germany in the semi-final of the 1970 World Cup, leading them to final against Brazil, where they would be defeated 4-1, however. Rivera was also a member of the first Italian side to win the European Football Championship in 1968, on home soil.Rivera was an elegant, efficitent, and creative offensive midfield playmaker, with an eye for goal, who possessed excellent technical ability, footballing intelligence, vision, and class.[2] He is widely considered to be one of the greatest Italian footballers, and one of the most talented playmakers of all time, due to his passing accuracy and his adeptness at providing assists.[3][4] In 2004, Pelè chose Rivera as part of the FIFA 100 greatest living footballers, and he placed 35th in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll.
After retiring from football, Rivera went into politics and he is currently a Member of the European Parliament for the Uniti nell'Ulivo party. He has been appointed as the President of the educational youth sector by the FIGC for the Italy national football team, along with Roberto Baggio and Arrigo Sacchi under head coach Cesare Prandelli.[5]
